Just diagnosed with Hepatitis C: What Precautions should I take?

Viral hepatitis commonly addressed as jaundice is caused by various specific viruses affecting the liver, i.e. Hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, hepatitis E virus, etc. These viruses affect a person in 2 ways: either through contaminated food or drinks and excreted through feces (hepatitis A and E virus) or via contaminated blood or body fluids (hepatitis B, C, D).

If you have been exposed to the above mentioned modes of transmission, it would be advisable to get yourself screened for these viruses.

And what if you have just been diagnosed with Hepatitis C?

You are now aware that hepatitis C is spread only through contact with the infected person’s blood. It does not spread via-

1. Hugging
2. Kissing
3. Cuddling
4. Coughing
5. Sneezing
6. Casual contact
7. Sharing clothes and utensils
8. Breastfeeding (unless nipples are cracked or bleeding)
9. Sharing food and drinks

Hence, everyday contact is not risky. Hence, you need not isolate yourself after you have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C.
So the question is-

What precautions should you take?

1. At home, potential source of infection could be something that can cause a nick or cut – eg. Scissors, toothbrushes, nail cutters, razors or jewellery that pierces the skin such as earrings – these should not be shared between friends or family members and the person infected with hepatitis C.
2. Carefully dispose off used sanitary napkins, tissues, bandages, tampons or anything that might have your blood on it.
3. Do not donate blood, organ or semen.
4. Do not continue breast feeding if your nipples are cracked or bleeding, but can continue with breast feeding once your nipples are healed.
5. Cover any cuts or blisters to prevent others from coming in contact with your infected blood.
6. If you are using injected street drugs, it’s better to get into a treatment program. At least do not share your needles or any other object with anyone else.

What about sex with infected person?

Hepatitis C can spread via sexual contact but it’s very rare. Sexual contact with the same partner poses minimal risk chances. But if you have multiple partners, you must take precaution. Using condoms will not only protect your partner from getting infected with hepatitis C but will also protect them from HIV and hepatitis B.
However, there has been no evidence that hepatitis C spreads via oral sex.

Will I pass the infection to my baby?

There are possibilities that a pregnant woman can spread the virus to her baby, but the risk is low. However, the virus is spread at birth and there’s no way to control or reduce the risk.
Breast feeding is absolutely safe unless the nipples are cracked or bleeding. In such cases, stop breast feeding till the lesion heals completely.

Encourage others to screen for hepatitis C

Even though the chances of passing on infection are low, still tell anyone at risk to get it tested. Your spouses, family members or sexual partners who are at potential risk must know and get themselves screened.
Education and counseling plays an important role.

Also, prevention is always better than cure as there are no vaccines for hepatitis C available as yet. But get yourself immunized with hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines to prevent co-infection and to protect the liver.
Regular monitoring is necessary.

Homeopathic treatment has been proven effective for many viral infections. Treatment of Hepatitis C is an area that Dr Rajesh Shah has been working on, since the last decade.
Homeopathic treatment works in the following way:

• Treating the after effects of organ changes due to Hep C virus.
• Decreasing the viral count and viral activity by stimulating our innate immune system to defend the body.

Based on his research based medicines, results at Lifeforce have shown great promise. To know more, leave us your contact details below